PRIME Z690-A issue with RAM

[Ontis]

Greetings.

I am using a PC (preassembled by a local vendor) based on Z690-A motherboard with 12900KF CPU. This PC originally came with 2x 16Gb RAM from G.Skill manufacturer labeled as F5-6000U4040E16GX2-TZ5RK, but I toned it down to 4800 MHz.

After about two years of using I've got myself a spare Kingston Fury DDR5-6000 32768MB PC5-48000 2Rx8 (KF560C40BB-32) RAM module. I decided to give it a try and slotted into B1 slot with two old RAM modules occupying A1 and A2.

The PC made it to POST and BIOS, but after I quit the BIOS shell it simply never started working again. The motherboard had its "DRAM" LED permanently orange with it sometimes switching to red for a short duration and then back to orange.

Afterwards I removed my old 2x16 Gb RAM modules and checked if I can start up with just the new Kingston RAM module.

The situation was exactly same: I made it through POST, entered BIOS, double-checked everything to be set to 'Auto' and then rebooted.

The PC refused to start up again.

Now I have several questions:

1. Is this specific new RAM module somehow incompatible with my motherboard?

2. I have an opportunity to get myself two more RAM modules of the exactly same model as my original ones. Will I be able to run 4 of 16 Gb G.Skill modules on this motherboard?

[JohnAb]

I think you'll be better off just putting the 2x16 sticks back in. 4 sticks might run, but perhaps not at 6000. If you buy 2 more sticks they won't be part of the same kit, so you might be disappointed. I'd say save the money for your next upgrade. 

[Ontis]

I'm currently using my present 2x16 on 4800 Mhz anyway. Two new ones of the same type and manufacturer should (probably?) work without any issues on 4800, shouldn't they?

[Silent_Scone]

Hi @Ontis 

Assuming they're the same memory IC the kit should operate with no problem at the default speed. Please note that the maximum supported stock operating frequency depends on the configuration as outlined below by Intel:

[Ontis]

So today I've received two more 16 GB modules from the same vendor and tried to install them on my ASUS PRIME Z690-A motherboard.

Memory modules were G.Skill DDR5-6000 PC5-48000 (F5-6000J3636F16GX2-TZ5RK).

I went to BIOS to once again manually tone down the frequency of my memory to 4800 MHz, 40-40-40-77 timings.

Then I installed all 4 16 GB memory modules together with my two-year-old G.Skill ones. The PC didn't even pass POST and did not 'invite' me to BIOS.

I decided to dismount my old memory to see if the system will at least run with only the new modules. It did not. The PC did not pass POST.

Then I decided to perform a CMOS battery reset. I pulled it out for about eight minutes, then grabbed a new one and inserted it in the battery slot. The PC still refused to start with the new memory modules.

Then I replaced those 2x16 GB modules with my old 2x16 ones. The PC has successfully passed POST and informed me of the BIOS reset. I went to BIOS to once again reconfigure my memory to 4800 MHz / 40-40-40-76 timings. Then I switched the PC off and swapped memory sticks once again - to no avail. The PC simply refuses to start with any RAM modules except for the 2x16 GB that arrived with the PC.

1. What exactly does orange "DRAM" LED indicate when its just glowing permanently?

2. Do I have any options left here?

[Silent_Scone]

Hello, see the chart above. The stock speed for single and dual rank respectively for two DIMMs per channel is 4000MT and 3600MT respectively for 12th generation CPUs.

[Ontis]

This still doesn't explain why the PC refuses to load with any new memory modules, but starts up properly immediately after the original old ones are returned.

[Silent_Scone]

1. Ensure the memory modules are installed in slots A2 and B2.

2. Clear CMOS and confirm if the system POSTs successfully.

[Ontis]

I did exactly that. After the PC refused to load with my old RAM placed in A1+A2 and new RAM placed in B1+B2 I removed my old RAM and switched the new 2x16 GB modules to be mounted in A2+B2 slots instead.

The PC didn't pass POST.

Then I removed the CMOS battery for 8 minutes and installed a new battery instead (just in case). The PC still refused to pass POST and show me BIOS shell.

I had to replace the new RAM with my old RAM and switch on my PC again, and this time it did load properly.

[Silent_Scone]

Right. In that case I would RMA the new kit.